Thaddeus Young hopes to start, Spencer Hawes hopes to play against New Orleans

(Associated Press)

Thaddeus Young expects to be
in the 76ers’ starting lineup, and Spencer Hawes is “hoping to” get clearance
to play Friday night against visiting New Orleans.

Young, who returned to the
team in Wednesday’s loss at Orlando, came off the bench in that game. It was
his first appearance in four games, after being away since Nov. 18 for personal
reasons. Young hadn’t come off the bench for the Sixers since May 26, 2012, in
an Eastern Conference semifinal series against Boston.

“Probably going to be back in
the starting lineup tonight,” Young said at Friday morning’s shootaround. “(Being
a reserve) is not something I want to go back to. I’d rather start games off in
the game. I’m definitely looking forward to getting back out there, getting in
the flow of the game.”

Hawes has missed two straight
with left knee soreness. He said he hasn’t had an MRI on the knee, which he
tweaked a week ago against Milwaukee, but said he “felt pretty much normal”
while running around at the morning shootaround.

“I’ll go through the stuff
before the game and, if it’s OK, I’m ready to go,” Hawes said. “Sitting out is
the worst. They are good seats, but it’s a terrible feeling. You want to be out
there with your teammates.”